Germany backs Poland's plan to enhance EU relations with Armenia, Azerbaijan and GeorgiaJune 17, 2008 - 18:58 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - German Chancellor Angela Merkel has backed Poland's plan to enhance EU relations with five eastern European states, putting the Eastern Partnership scheme on track for formal agreement at this week's EU summit. "We will all benefit from closer cooperation with our eastern neighbors within the ENP," she said. "On Friday (20 June), we will ask the European Commission for concrete proposals so that this initiative does not give rise to mere titles, but to concrete projects," the chancellor said during a trip to Gdansk on Monday. "I received unequivocal backing for this from the chancellor," Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said, after getting similar endorsements from the leaders of Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia earlier the same day. The Eastern Partnership will be a new multilateral forum between the EU and Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia, forging closer economic and political links and leading to visa-free travel deals., the EUObserver reports. The initiative was also supported by Luxemburg and Denmark. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Turkey condemns Uruguay’s recognition of Armenian Genocide Turkey has condemned a newly passed law in Uruguay that recognizes the Armenian Genocide, TRT reports. For the first time, Armenia votes in favor of Georgia resolution in UN Armenia on Tuesday, June 4 voted for the first time in favor a resolution adopted by the United Nations General Assembly. Moscow warns Armenia against leaving Russian-led defense bloc Armenia could ruin its military ties with Russia if it continues drifting towards the West, according to a senior official in Moscow. Moscow says ready to support Yerevan-Baku reconciliation Moscow has confirmed its readiness to support the reconciliation of Yerevan and Baku. |